Pages

Monday, February 08, 2010

Caution: Fiber related post and picture heavy

It's been a while since I've done a fiber related post, so here goes. First off, the project I am working on is almost done and should have been done a week ago. I know when it blocks, it's gonna stretch like crazy, however since gauge isn't a big deal, it's not a big deal. I did work on the project, but the mail today, especially heavy and required one of those US Mail bins (we had no mail delivery Saturday because of the blizzard)is forcing me to do a blog post about some wonderful items, vendors and artists.

First off, without further ado, the wheel is set up:

I need to have the legs made shorter on the Kromski stool, but all in all, she's pretty much set. Haven't named her yet, should I? The basket on her right contains all my drop spindles and support spindles, Schacht paperwork, etc. The basket to the left holds all the spinning supplies (not bobbins), but orifice hook, extra drive bands, scotch tension spring, wheel oil, sock blockers, WPI tool, Diz, etc. I think I really need to get spinning and will once the above is finished, blocked, measured and shipped out.

The mail brought lots of neat stuff today. One item is a bobbin bowl. Now when I first heard this, I thought of sewing machine bobbins, but Shine (nirbhao on Ravelry) makes these great yarn holder bowls and I adore mine.

First pic shows that, yes I am working on that project and proof with the counter right next to it. Second pic shows a full wound cake of Knit Picks Imagination 219 yards of yummy goodness (in which the superfine alpaca is not bothering my allergies)and now you know which yarn I am using. Third pic shows up close from the side and pics do not do it justice. My bowl is called "Protection from the Government" and measures 2.5" tall and has a diameter of about 4". She has some gorgeous wine bottle chillers, bowls, yarn holder bobbin bowls and other items that are beautiful. Her website, Full of Delicion! can be found here.

Next up, three beautiful stoneware shawl pins handmade by Leava on Ravelry. We did a swap (fiber for the pins) and all three are just stunning. She also had some stoneware buttons I received last week that were equally awesome. She doesn't have a website or anything, but she still has some buttons up for barter on Ravelry and her work is wonderful.

Next up, the poly single drive bands I ordered from ssilk1 on eBay. I found out later, she has a full online store, Susan's Spinning Bunny which has everything for all your spinning needs-wheels, fiber, yarn, you name it. These poly drive bands are unique because first off, they're thin enough to be used on a Schacht and also, no melting the ends together. She created a band that has a simple connector system (for either single or double drive band) instead of having to use matches to try to melt it together or having to glue it together. These should work perfectly for Scotch tension.

Last, but not least, Lois from Bountiful. Here I am, my wheel is old enough to legally drink in New Jersey and I call her because I need a scotch tension cord and spring. I start to ask some questions because a few things seem off with the wheel and poor Lois, after helping me with so much, I figured out I didn't need some items I thought I needed just by a few adjustments and cleaning up of parts. However, she called me back with an answer to a question I had, owns a Schacht as old as the one I have, as well as the newer ones and knew exactly the differences between the newer and older models (which was good because I almost ordered a part my wheel doesn't even have), but she also made some great suggestions. I did, however, purchase some more cotton drive bands for the double drive (which I proudly figured out myself how to set up), the scotch tension spring and cord, as well as the new slow whorl for Schacht. They come with a medium and fast whorl, but I thought it would be easier to try spinning with the slow whorl and she convinced me it would be great for worsted. Her prices were great and in all honesty, I could have bought the Scotch tension spring anywhere, however the $4.50 part had $6.00 shipping everywhere I looked and Lois charges actual shipping-seriously, the slow whorl was $21 in her shop and for that, the drive bands and scotch tension, she only charged $2.26 for shipping and insurance. She was great to work with and very knowledgeable about the Schacht. She sells looms, Greensleeves Drop Spindles and accessories, weave kits, wheels from Schacht, Jensen, Louet, Ashford, Majacraft, and Reeves Saxony. She also has fiber, books and DVD's on Spinning and Felting and my order arrived in 5 days (including weekend and one day of no mail delivery due to weather). I can't say enough about how helpful she was and I'll order all my parts from her from now on.

Well, they keep changing the weather forecast, but as of now, it looks like 12"-18" of snow mixed with sleet coming in Tuesday through Wednesday night. This one is a Nor'easter and Wednesday night could a bad one. Mix of ice and snow, plus winds, I'm fully expecting power outages because of downed trees and icing of the lines. We already have about 22" of snow as it is and honestly, I don't want anymore. I'm set though with plenty of candles, flashlights, cell phones charged, cooler out in case we lose power, I'll fill the tub with water for toilet flushing (septic has its downside), extra blankets and it'll be fine. Quite honestly, we haven't had snow like this in years and when the local paper has a picture of two storms converging (one from the north and one from the south) and uses the words "immobilizing" and "explodes" for when they converge and the Weather Channel says the same thing, it's gonna be a bad one. The school was closed today and if this storm hits like it says, the kids won't get out of school til almost July!